Badger Culling

I support the Government's 25-year eradication strategy for TB, but believe it should be sooner. I highlighted the necessity of culling to stop illegal activities that can spread disease through perturbation. The evidence shows a significant reduction in confirmed breakdowns and animal slaughters since the introduction of badger culling. In response to concerns about badger population loss, he pointed out that cattle and badgers are predominantly found in the western part of the UK where TB is prevalent. The aim is to protect uninfected areas rather than focusing on overall population reduction. Questions if 2025 is feasible for implementing Labour's policy, mentions East Sussex as a potential test site but not an alternative to culling regime. Asks about the DIVA test and cattle vaccination timeline.

Emphasised the work of the Government in addressing bovine tuberculosis and protecting farmers, noting that while the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 prohibits shooting badgers, licences can be issued for culling in specific circumstances. Stressed the importance of eradicating TB completely from both badgers and cows and stopping intensive culling as a result.

Mr Zeichner discussed the differing views on badger culling, emphasizing that everyone wants to eradicate bovine TB. He cited DEFRA and Welsh Government figures showing median costs of £6,600 for cattle farmers with up to 300 herds, rising to £18,600 for larger farms. The MP questioned the effectiveness of badger culling in controlling bovine TB, citing a rise in culled badgers from around parity in 2014 to four in five in 2020. He also raised concerns about the inhumane treatment of badgers during shooting and asked why vaccinated badgers are sometimes shot as part of the cull.

Jim Shannon supports the control of badgers to protect dairy and beef sectors from bovine TB, citing losses due to weekly cow slaughters in Northern Ireland. He highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy cattle population alongside wildlife and urges for urgent action based on successful interventions observed in England. Emphasised that culling badgers can provide economic benefits by protecting cattle and preventing job losses in the sector. He urged for protective measures to be implemented even if it means culling. Thanks Minister for positive response on charting a way forward and asks if she has spoken to devolved Administrations, particularly Edwin Poots, about the subject.

The hon. Gentleman is aware that the Badger Trust has been calling for significant investment in cattle vaccination for over a decade, and feels that delays have led to unnecessary loss of badgers' lives.

Mr Amesbury highlighted the Cheshire badger vaccination programme (CBVP), which vaccinates badgers to protect cattle from bovine TB. He noted that culling costs £6 million annually and each badger killed costs £1,000 compared to £82 for vaccination. Amesbury stressed the need to find a humane solution protecting both cattle and wildlife welfare. In Cheshire, farmers, landowners, volunteers and the general public support vaccination efforts, which is a crucial mix for the programme.

If we had a vaccine that differentiated between vaccinated animals and infected ones, the policy would stand up. However, until such a vaccine exists, culling remains necessary to control bovine tuberculosis. Disappointed that the oral vaccine DEFRA was keen to roll out proved unpalatable due to its abrasiveness, leaving trapping and vaccinating badgers as the only option. Suggests some badgers are too clever to get caught consistently.